In the Name of Empress-Chapter 298 - 203: The Cold-blooded Witchโs Decision (Part 3)
This is the command center, not a place for romance!
She turned her face, staring at the frozen sand table of the battle situation, lost in thought. ๐๐ง๐๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฃ๐ธ๐๐๐.๐๐๐
Seeing the question mark Roland wrote down, Sif stuck out her tongue in embarrassment.
She had an answer.
"General Christine, if I were the commander, I would wholeheartedly rescue Helentz Castle, creating a chance for the garrison to break out."
"How will you rescue them? How much chance do you have for a breakout?" Christine raised her head sharply, her tone somewhat aggressive.
"Select elite troops, led by General Jes, for a full rescue. Meanwhile, deploy the Fourth Fleetโs river gunboats for fire support."
Christine snorted lightly, her slender fingers pointing at the sand table.
Her meaning was clear, stop theoretical talk and get down to action.
Sif glanced back at Roland, and with his encouraging look, her confidence swelled rapidly. She stood tall and faced Christine.
She picked up the pawn representing the light cavalry unit, placing it upstream of the canal, and said softly:
"Cross the river by night!"
At this moment, the blue strip representing the canal had river gunboats, capable of providing fire support. The canalโs flow was calm, making river crossing indeed not difficult.
Christine completely ignored this force, directly aiming the artilleryโs guns on the hill at the river gunboats.
"Suppressive fire!"
Sifโs face changed slightly.
The river gunboats, unlike proper battleships, had poor protection and speed. Although possessing considerable firepower, their defense capability was awful.
Against shore artillery, river gunboats were at a disadvantage.
If facing well-constructed artillery on shore forts, river gunboats could easily be taught a lesson.
According to intelligence, the Oden Kingdom Army had already occupied the hilly area near Helentz Castle and set up artillery there.
These cannons did little damage to the inner city with well-dug tunnels, but for nearly stationary river gunboats, it was a dimensional attack.
Sifโs face changed slightly, tapping the inner city, "Breakthrough."
Christine sneered, pointing at the inner city, "Set fire."
Water and fire are merciless; setting fire and breaching dams is a particularly cruel combat technique but inflicts immense damage.
The ground of Helentz Castleโs inner city was mostly occupied; once the enemy arranged firewood, alcohol, and kerosene, they could easily ignite this city.
The garrison at Helentz Castle attempting to break out was nearly impossible.
Sifโs face turned numb, continuously throwing all available forces into the fray.
Eventually, the rescue operation turned into a disaster.
The Oden Kingdom Army took the opportunity to cross the Jill Canal, continuously segmenting and surrounding the Hansa New Army.
According to the rules, although the New Armyโs initial morale was high, it collapsed particularly quickly under consecutive strikes.
As each piece representing independent combat units turned white, the rescue turned into a rout.
The frontlineโs defeat strained the already insufficient troops, eventually affecting the defense line of Hansa City.
Christine stopped in time, giving Sif a half-smiling look, her meaning apparent.
Youโve already failed.
Sifโs face went pale, cold sweat sliding down her cheeks.
Was her thought wrong? Did she really have to treat the garrison at Helentz Castle as pawns to be discarded, and conceal the truth of this battle?
If that were the case, even winning this battle would turn her promise not to abandon anyone into a joke.
Although monarchs of this era often broke their promises, she didnโt want to be like that.
Sif was drenched in sweat, almost wanting to turn around and flee.
But she only took a step back before thinking of a solution.
"Roland, what do you think we should do?"
Roland stepped forward a few steps, stood by Sifโs side, and smiled, saying: "Abandoning Helentz Castle is definitely not an option. This would lead to our political credibility utterly collapsing; our bragging will come crashing down and bury us."
"Since a small force for rescue wonโt work, then letโs advance the decisive battle."
Christine glared at Roland with annoyance, snorting lightly, "Our military is numerically inferior, and our overall combat power is less than the enemyโs. Moreover, the enemy has frontline artillery. How can we have a decisive battle?"
Roland smiled as he explained: "Our army has at least five advantages! First, as long as we find a way to destroy the enemyโs artillery positions, we have the river gunboat supporting us, with superior firepower. Second, in terms of supplies, we have Jill Canal shipping, while the enemy can only use land transport, giving us the logistical advantage. Third, our army defends Helentz Castle and destroys enemy offensives, holding the morale advantage. Fourth, we have excellent commanders, giving us the command advantage. Fifth, our side has absolute trust in the commanders, while the enemy has expelled the veteran Gode, giving us the advantage in personnel!"
Roland wanted to make up ten advantages, but could only think of five temporarily.
After listing the five advantages, he smiled, looking at Christine.
"Please let the worldโs best commander, Saintess Christine, lead us to victory!"
Christine: "..."
Forget about it, asking these two military novices is pointless.
But they were right. Advancing the decisive battle, which appeared to be the worst solution, was actually the best.
The new army has the potential to become an ace force; all it needs is time.
Even if they canโt annihilate the Oden Kingdom Army this time, as long as they achieve a beautiful victory, it will completely overturn the situation.
The new armyโs combat power will gradually take shape, and after defeat, the Oden Kingdom will only decline.
Though Roland had elements of flattery, she was filled with self-confidence.
Who says she canโt become the worldโs best commander?
Iron ore needs the tempering of blood and fire to become the best steel.
Sheโs the same.
Christine was filled with fighting spirit.
Winning is not enough; she wants to achieve a brilliant annihilation battle.
